TOKYO: Leading Japanese oil wholesaler Eneos Holdings Inc. is considering introducing an online health consultation service at gas stations, its president, Takeshi Saito, has said in a recent interview.

“I’m seeing potential in gas stations as real stores” although they are struggling due to drops in the country’s population and demand for gasoline, Saito said.

As part of efforts to maintain its domestic sales network, Eneos plans to strengthen the functions of its gas stations as bases for local communities.

In cooperation with Next Innovation Inc., a remote medical service provider based in the western Japan city of Osaka, Eneos has developed an unmanned booth in which users can check their blood pressure, among other things, and consult medical specialists by video link. Those who want to use the booth will make reservations via smartphones or other devices.

“People who cannot go to hospital frequently and truck drivers, for example, would find it easy to use the booths” if they are installed at gas stations, Saito said.

Eneos has already started tests to offer laundry and other services at gas stations.

At a time when gasoline demand has been falling due to a shift to electrified vehicles amid the country’s decarbonization drive, the company will accelerate its study on the planned online consultation service at gas stations for their survival.

JIJI Press